The SCRD is re-confirming its support for a group’s efforts to get Howe Sound designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, voting unanimously to support the initiative in the form of a letter at the July 25 board meeting.
Ian Winn and Ruth Simons of the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society presented to directors at a committee meeting the week before to update them on the status of their nomination, which they expect to submit in September.
It’s has taken two years to complete the 230-page document, and as part of the final stage of the process they have been requesting letters of endorsement from local government and have reached out to local industry, such as Woodfibre LNG and Howe Sound Pulp and Paper. The endorsement is not legally or financially binding.
Simons said that if approved, they expect the earliest it would be designated is 2021.
Biosphere reserves contain land, water and coastal ecosystems and are used to promote solutions that reconcile “conservation of biodiversity” with “sustainable use,” according to UNESCO’s website.
There are approximately 700 biosphere reserves in the world, 18 of which are in Canada. Clayoquot Sound and Mount Arrowsmith on Vancouver Island are the only places in B.C. with UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designations.
PODS bylaws adopted
Members of the Pender Ocean Discover Station (PODS), including executive director Michael Jackson, attended the July 25 board meeting where zoning bylaw and Pender Harbour’s Official Community Plan amendments were adopted unanimously by directors.
The bylaw adoption clears the way for the PODS project to move ahead to the construction phase.
Ports repairs budget doubles
Damage from last winter’s storms and “unanticipated failures and delayed maintenance from 2018 have combined to create a need for more critical maintenance and repair work” on docks than is normally budgeted for, said a July 25 SCRD staff report.
Those needs have prompted staff to request a doubling of the maintenance budget from $81,000 to $166,000 so that the “urgent and required” dock repairs can be conducted.
Directors voted to move ahead with the budget increase.
At the same meeting, directors also approved awarding a $627,000 contract for upgrade repairs of the Vaucroft Dock to Pacific Industrial Marine.
The overall cost of the project has been revised from $450,000 in 2017 to approximately $677,000.
During discussion, SCRD chair Lori Pratt asked staff what “caused the budget to increase so significantly.”
Planning and community development general manager Ian Hall said the primary factor was the “increased cost of construction over time.”
Vaucroft Dock is located on Thormanby Island in Halfmoon Bay. Currently, the dock approach is closed to vehicles.
VCH director steps down
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) director for the Sunshine Coast, Lauren Tindall, announced that she is leaving her position at the July 25 Regional Hospital District meeting.
“This will be my last RHD meeting after just over six years on the Sunshine Coast. I’m pursuing a new opportunity,” said Tindall, who cried as she announced her departure. “I would like to thank the RHD. It’s been a pleasure. Thank you.”
Formerly a nurse, Tindall completed a masters in health administration and was hired by VCH soon after, overseeing major capital projects such as the expansion of the Sechelt Hospital.
She will be taking on the role of vice president of patient experience and chief nurse executive at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital in Ontario. Her last day at VCH is Aug. 23. A search for a replacement is underway.
“She’ll be greatly missed but we’re excited for her as she embarks on this new opportunity,” said Matt Kieltyka, a public affairs specialist with VCH.
